Food and Nutrition

Food Technology is a successful department which proves to be very popular with our students. Pupil uptake at KS4 is consistently higher than the national average and results commonly position the department amongst the highest performing subjects in the school.

A new and exciting curriculum in ‘Food and Nutrition’ is now being taught throughout the school. Pupils are taught the scientific principles behind food and nutrition and how to use a variety of cooking techniques. They look at the economic and sustainability issues within the subject, as well as investigating the source, seasonality and characteristics of a broad range of ingredients.

Practically, they will prepare and cook food as well as being able to make informed choices about their own healthy and varied diet. They will become competent in a range of cooking techniques (for example, selecting and preparing ingredients; using utensils and electrical equipment; applying heat in different ways; using awareness of taste, texture and smell to decide how to season dishes and combine ingredients; adapting and using their own ingredients/recipes).

Extra-curricular activities and visits:

Our pupils are always keen to get involved in the extra-curricular activities offered by the department. In many cases the fun and competitive tasks are sure to draw a crowd, whilst in some instances pupils attend to improve their culinary knowledge and expertise. Activities include:

Inter House Bake Off – a competition that is witness to the culinary skills being expressed in a variety of ways. Enjoyment is had and thoroughly appreciated by all.

Ice Breakers – As part of the Ice Breaker event and led by our older mentors, our new Year 7’s are given the opportunity to take part in a biscuit making competition where they are assessed on edibility and original designs.

Holiday revision school – as exam season approaches intervention sessions are held for those students who, for various reasons, may have fallen behind or those who simply want extra revisions sessions or to revisit topics in which they feel less confident. The sessions offer a pupil centred approach as sessions are based on the students’ needs. Despite being offered in the school holidays, these sessions are traditionally well attended and contribute significantly to the impressive results achieved.

Barcelona - In June 2018 our trip, which will be open to all year groups from Years 7 - 10, will allow language skills to be developed, cultural experiences to be gained and a cookery lesson for all which will enhance practical skills ready for GCSE by acquiring an understanding of the Spanish cuisine.

Facilities:

There are 2 classrooms that are fully functioning classroom kitchens with workable practical space for 20 pupils in each. Both rooms are equipped with essential cooking utensils for every pupil to access and as a department there are utensils available to support practical development.

Assessment:

Formally, students are assessed in their knowledge, understanding and cooking capabilities. A range of assessment methods are used which range from theory based knowledge quizzes, a portfolio of their project work and public presentations of practical dishes.

Informally each lesson pupil progress is assessed using the department system of blue, bronze, silver and gold. This may be based on pupils understanding, the quality of their work or the level of the challenge. The pupils are familiar with this system and find it useful to track their progress at any given point.

Schemes of Work: Hyperlink to SoW

Throughout KS3 pupils will learn how to cook healthy dishes and develop their culinary skills by acquiring a knowledge of the main commodities: Meat, Fish, Eggs, Milk, Cheese, Bread, Pastry, Pasta, Fruit and Vegetables. Scientific principles will be investigated to allow pupils to fully understand the functional properties of food. For example; experimenting with the pH levels of food and preventing enzymic browning; to analysing the chemical properties of raising agents.

Year 7:

Lets Get Cooking – The main focus of this module is to allow pupils to experience a range of practical skills and develop their confidence when cooking, as well as introducing sensory analysis.

Year 8:

Healthy Me – The main focus of this module is in relation to the Eatwell Guide and its importance for us as a nation. Pupils learn about food miles and the impact of food on the environment. (Food Provenance and Food Security)

Year 9:

Food Commodities and Skills – Food Commodities are the main focus with investigation into the nutrition of these foods. Pupils then progress on to develop their preparation and technical skills in order to prepare them for the GCSE options.

Year 10 & Year 11 course:

OCR GCSE (9-1) Specification FOOD PREPARATION AND NUTRITION - J309

The following units of work are covered:

Section A Nutrition

Section B Food: food provenance and food choice

Section C Cooking and Food Preparation

Section D Skills Requirements: preparation and cooking techniques

Throughout KS4 there are 3 formal assessments which assess pupils’ skills and understanding in the above topics. Assessments and their weighting towards the final GCSE grade are as follows:

3: Food Preparation – 35% of total GCSE

Latest News

Road Closure Reminder

17 Jan 2019

Dear Parent / Carer,

Lancashire County Council have informed us that they are temporarily closing Royal Avenue from 21-23 January to improve the road surface. The closure will run from 8am – 5pm each day. Whilst school bus services will not be affected, parents are advised to find alternative locations for picking up / dropping off.

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Mr P Thompson

Headteacher

Road Closure

09 Jan 2019

Dear Parent / Carer,

Lancashire County Council have informed us that they are temporarily closing Royal Avenue from 21-23 January to improve the road surface. The closure will run from 8am – 5pm each day. Whilst school bus services will not be affected, parents are advised to find alternative locations for picking up / dropping off.

Campaign Duke of Edinburgh Opportunities in South Ribble

New Year Wishes

31 Dec 2018

A Happy New Year from the Staff and Governors of St Mary's Catholic High School

Don't forget school re-opends on Monday 7th January 2019

Parking

19 Dec 2018

Parking at the end of the school is causing a few parking violations, please could I remind you to park considerately, avoiding bumping up on the kerb and blocking the public footpath as this is causing pedestrians to venture into the road with pushchairs and young children. We appreciate that Christmas is a busy and hectic time for us all but the safety of all our students and local residents is paramount.

Post 16 Application Process

19 Dec 2018

Dear Parent/Carer,

Many thanks for supporting your child through the post 16 application process. I have received lists from all our local providers informing me of which pupils have applied to their college and for which courses. Each application will be looked at by the colleges and interviews will take place in school, in February/March, with the exception of Newman College who invite pupils to the college campus for their interview. I shall be in touch nearer the time with further information and details of a support session to help and reassure pupils prior to their interview.

In the meantime, please encourage your child to engage in a revision programme and work hard to ensure they achieve their potential with their GCSEs and also meet the requirements of the course/s they have applied for.

Unfortunately, there still are a small number of pupils who are yet to submit a post 16 application. I encourage those pupils to do so as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place at their college and course of choice. I will continue to chase these pupils up until they do have an application submitted. Any pupils, parent/carers who would like further help or support should contact me as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your support and very best wishes for a happy and holy Christmas.

Headteacher letter to parents December 2018

Y10 Mock Interviews 31.01.19

14 Dec 2018

Dear Parent / Carer,

I am delighted to inform you that your son / daughter will have the opportunity to participate in a mock interview on Thursday, 31st January 2019, during school time.

As a school we believe that a realistic mock interview will serve your child well as part of their work related learning, building their confidence and developing their interview skills in preparation for their post 16 educational applications.

In order to match your son / daughter to an appropriate interviewer, he /she must complete a personal statement following the attached personal statement writing frame. The personal statement must be typed up and printed out and should relate to your son / daughter’s first choice of occupation or training course. The deadline for handing in personal statements is Friday, 11th January 2019. As the mock interview experience is so valuable to our young people, this year they are compulsory for all pupils in Year 10. For those pupils who may see this as a daunting prospect, I have organised an ‘Interview Tips and Techniques’ information session, on Wednesday, 23rd January 2019, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., in the drama theatre. This session is entirely voluntary but will serve to provide help and reassurance prior to the mock interviews.

Form tutors will support and facilitate pupils with their personal statements and ensure that all pupils take part. All personal statements will be sent to the employers / training providers a week before the interview date, to enable the interviewers to look at them prior to conducting the personalised mock interview. Following the interview your son / daughter will receive feedback on both their personal statement and their interview skills.

Pupils are welcome to bring records of their achievement and / or certificates to their interview if they wish. Each interview will be no longer than 15 minutes in duration.

This is an excellent opportunity for your son / daughter which will also serve to help him / her with the college / apprenticeship application process and interview in Year 11. I very much hope that you will encourage your son / daughter to take full advantage of the event and support him / her in writing his / her personal statement, ensuring that the deadline is met.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any further questions.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs L Pilling

Assistant Head Teacher

500 Club Winners - December

13 Dec 2018

December's 500 Club winners are:-

1st prize Mr Astley, Bryn in 10S

2nd prize Mrs Stephens, Ben 7A

3rd prize Mrs Withnell, Hannah 11S.

Please collect your winnings from the school office.

Y11 College Application Deadline

07 Dec 2018

Dear Parent / Carer,

Reminder that the deadline for post 16 applications was today! Mrs Pilling will be accessing the list of applicants from all our partner colleges and training providers on Monday to achieve a list of who has and has not submitted an application. Any pupils who have not, should do so over the weekend. Any problems at all, please contact Mrs Pilling as soon as possible. If you child has applied to an instituation or training provider out of the immediate area, please also let Mrs pilling know.